BRADFORD CITY AFC

The club have received the first instalment of money raised during the Tifosy led #UpgradeTheParade fan funding campaign. 

The first instalment the club has received is a cheque in excess of £60,000 and this will go towards work that is in the process of being done on the club's new-look changing rooms and the new LED screen to replace the current scoreboard.

An initiative that was bought into by the football club and the supporters' board, #UpgradeTheParade gave fans the chance to fund the upgrade in club facilities whilst also presented with the opportunity to receive some really unique items in return for their help in trying to reach the target.

Supporters' Board member, Carl Smith said:

'The Supporters' Board are truly delighted to be handing over this cheque to the club, which is the culmination of huge amounts of dedication behind the scenes from ourselves, the tremendous staff at the club and Tifosy.'

'To see how this campaign captured the imagination of the supporters and successfully achieved its aims is a proud moment. We are truly thankful to all the supporters who contributed and we are sure all supporters will enjoy their new scoreboard whilst the players are preparing in upgraded changing facilities.'

Carl's fellow Supporters' Board member, Adam Baker added:

'On behalf of the Supporters' Board, thank you to all who contributed to the Upgrade the Parade campaign. This was an innovative project which no one group could undertake alone and it is testament to the combined efforts of individual supporters, supporters groups and sponsors that Valley Parade will house brand new changing rooms and big screen facilities next season.' 

'It shows what can be achieved by working collectively for the long term benefit of our club and supporters alike.'

As work on the changing rooms comes to an end in preparation for the upcoming 2016-17 season, attention now turns to the installation of the brand new LED screen in place of the outdated scoreboard in the corner
between the Northern Commercials Stand and the TL Dallas Stand.

Commercial Manager Michael Shackleton said:

'The football club would like to extend thanks to all supporters that have contributed to the #UpgradeTheParade campaign. The campaign was a huge success and it has led to the re-development of certain parts of Valley
Parade.'

'The development of the changing rooms will provide the players and management with a better quality of facilities on a match day with the brand new giant screen enhancing the match day experience for the supporters.'

'We look forward to developing commercial opportunity this new screen presents over the course of the forthcoming season and beyond.'

Planning permission for the scoreboard has been granted by Bradford City Council and the first deposit for the screen has been paid so the manufacture of the new big screen (from suppliers ADI Limited) is well under
way. The aim has always been to try and have the screen installed and in operation for the first home League game on 6th August and this is still the case, although we would like to make supporters aware that the initial
testing took longer than anticipated because the contractors had to drill a lot deeper than initially thought to find suitable foundations.